We were faced with life-altering drama-trauma, individually & collectively. But we survived; we thrived. And that was no small effort. But you did it; we did it. And here we are in 2018!

How on earth did we pull through? We dropped our egos & masks. We opened our hearts, either consciously or they were torn open for us. We got real – real raw. We leaned on each other. We offered help. We learned to ask for help – some of us for the first time because we had no choice but to turn to our community for safety & aid. We became a strong, united, powerful force pulling together to thrive, persist & resist. And we succeeded.

When you come from your heart, you tap into your truest, higher self. That resonates & attracts others. It binds & bonds us via the connected collective consciousness of our higher selves. And that is where our power lies, individually & collectively. That is where we are united.

This new year continues to be about shining your true self and being connected to community. We are not isolated. We are not tribal, partisan, socially warring people. That is an illusion created by ego-driven, low-vibrational souls who need to control to exist. But, as we’ve seen, the love that emanates from each of us is our true bond, our true power. We demonstrate that daily by uniting, not dividing; showing kindness to each other; volunteering in community; and being grateful for each day as a gift to do & see the good stuff all over again.

That’s not to say that we aren’t facing daily struggles. We will, for sure – sometimes epically so. But, I know for certain that those struggles are lessons our souls need to learn to grow & enlighten in this lifetime. It’s how we face & react to them that matters. And, after all, that’s all we can control.

So my new year’s wish to you is that you wake each day with gratitude in your heart. Open your eyes & give yourself 10 minutes before hopping out of bed to review what you’re thankful for. Don’t forget to be grateful for the strength & guidance that got you through the previous day’s struggles. And, before you hop out of bed, be consciously aware of the lessons & growth opportunities that the day’s challenges offer you. If you do that, you will find that you flow thru the “obstacles” more gracefully, seeing them as opportunities, instead. Similarly, you can end your day by reviewing its events with gratitude before you fall to sleep.

Why on Earth is a science-based, positive pet trainer writing about this? Well, I’m also an intuitive. I walk in the worlds of science & soul daily, in my personal life and my work. I find that the synergy of science & soul is a beautiful place to live & work from. I am better for it in all that I do, and I think that I’m better at all that I do because of it. I bring all of me to all I do, and I can’t imagine living any other way.

Waking with gratitude and heart-centered days are hard to manage at first. I’d love to help you with that. As an intuitive, I receive brief guiding messages & lessons daily. I’d love to share them with you via my new newsletter, THE SOULFUL DAILY™. Think of them as eclectic little inspirational messages, from my soul to yours, to brighten your day. They’ll be easy to remember and share (via words or deeds) with souls you encounter, including your pets. And we’ll all be better off for that.

I encourage you to keep a journal. Call it an inspirational or gratitude or intuitive journal; just call it daily journal, if you like. Write down my messages that resonate with you most. Write things you’re grateful for. Write lessons you learned that day. Soon, with my guidance, you’ll receive daily messages yourself. Write them down – keep that journal as an act of self love. Reflect on it for future inspiration. What a fabulous way to navigate each day of this new year. Bonus: It’s a science-based way to be happier!

So here’s my offer to you:Subscribe toTHE SOULFUL DAILY™ for my daily intuitive inspirational messages by visiting the right side bar of this site & subscribing. Simply choose a monthly subscription rate that’s doable for you from the pull-down menu. (You pick the value of a daily dose of happiness: anywhere between a cup of coffee, a squeaky toy or a dinner out.) Soon you’ll see how a few daily words from me, perhaps journaled by you, add up to a very sweet gift to yourself & those around you. Ripples my friends: positive deeds, thoughts & words are powerfully healing ripples for us all. We are all connected, so let’s honor that. Let’s be aware of what we put out there – in our group swim.

Happy New Year to you & your pets! Let’s do 2018 together!xo ~Ruth & Rusty

Nope, not right now. I’ve not been good to me lately. And that’s incredibly effed up. You feel me? Right, well let’s fix this sitch, stat.

I’ve blah-blahed about self-care awareness in the past.This time, I’m getting my bitch on about it. BTW, I took that word back long ago. Bitch = strong woman. Period. Bitch bonus: Rusty loves that determined, smart, surviving-thriving, loving side of me. Rusty loves bitches, period.

I realized that I’m doing 2017 backwards.I’ve put everyone ahead of myself, to the point where I’ve given old battles energetic permission to resurface. Why the trauma redo? Because I didn’t get the message the first time. Call me dense. But I’ve got it now. If I’m not clear in my self-emitting signals, the Universe won’t be, either. So, pulling up my big-girl bitchy panties, let’s get specific; let’s get crystal-healing clear: Self first!

I have not been my best friend.You should hear the smack I talk to myself: stuff I would never say to my besties, stuff I would never allow a guest in my home to say to me. What’s up with that noise? I vow, from here on, I’ve unerringly got my back. (Bitch’s back, you might say. Sorry, had to.)

I had to zoom out to clearly focus on the fix.The big picture is the current grand-scale chaos of our country, our world. But, the biggest & best truth-picture: we are all love, we are all connected – people, animals, plants, Earth, Universe. We get wrapped up in 24/7 noisy news drama, social media, orange tweets and daily life – in a din that consumes & shrinks us, blinds & deafens us to our truth-picture. A friend asked me: “Why is everything so chaotic now, personally & globally?” Partially, it’s because we don’t zoom out; we’re being tribal & small, right-fighting. In that, we lose track & trust of the love that bonds us. Partially, it’s because the Universe is out of balance; it’s realigning now because it insists on balance. Because we’re all connected, we are sharing this universal experience. We’re all feeling it: topsy-turvy-crazy.

I intuitively zoom out.
It’s what I do; it’s who I am. (If you follow my writer’s FB page, perhaps you’ve read my monthly intuitive microblogs.) I must listen to my intuition. She’s always right, she’s calm, she’s loving – she’s always a welcome guest in my home, my work, my heart. Her voice has many sources, all from love. To listen to my intuition, follow her guidance & pass her messages to others – I must be unyieldingly steadfast in creating voice-space for her – for me. Steadfast in self-care, self-love, self-listening….. self first.

You can catch up on past microblogs here.If one resonates with you, or you think it could help someone else, please share it. They are meant to be shared; they are messages thru me, for us all. Namaste.

There’s a theme to the monthly messages: “Be your best friend.”Take care of your best friend, you. Listen to your best friend. Love your best friend. Why? Because she’s downright awesome. She knows you best. She’s got your back. She’d give the shirt off her back to your friends. And people love her. She’s the gal they wanna hang with, laugh with, blow off steam with. Hell, name her if you need to. I named my me-bestie “Betty”; it makes it easier to give her a voice. My true friends know her & love her. In fact, they often greet her before me with a hearty, “Betty!!!”. They’re fond of saying, “WWBD?” Betty’s a “bitch” who knows & says what she wants. She’s fiercely loyal, loving & giving. Cosmos, chocolate, giggle-snort belly laughs & gritty-real talk – they’re the soul-stuff of her. She loves life & lives it unapologetically, regrets be damned. I love her. She’s me. We are GFFs; we are one.

In parting, I’ll share a personal intuitive message I received regarding my trauma 2.0.“You are one. It’s a realignment. Stay on your path. You are safe & secure.” I believe that’s true for me. I believe that’s true for us, collectively. And that gives me peace and strength.

Be your bestie.Love you because you deserve it. Embrace your Betty! Self love is your strength source. Trust and believe it. Then zoom out to this: love is Universal truth, the Universal balancer. We are all love; we are all connected. Feel that; trust that. From this truth, you’re strengthened to reach out to help others. We become reconnected as community. May this bring you peace and strength in the chaos, as well.

Want guidance on tuning into your intuition?We’re all intuitive; it’s a sense we all are gifted with, like sight or smell. Tap into it, and you can trust it will guide you in life, career, relationships – endlessly & lovingly. To hone & honor your intuition, you must honor yourself – giving your soul space to grow and a deeply listening audience of one. What better way to be your own best friend?!

“There are days I drop words of comfort on myself like falling leaves and remember that it is enough to be taken care of by my self.” ~Brian Andreas

“Self-care is how you take your power back.” ~Lalah Delia

“Pets are great love conduits; with their guidance we reconnect with each other with ease, without judgement.” ~Ruth Hagen

“You should see her since she gave herself permission to rise.” ~Rebecca Ray

“Above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places.” ~Roald Dahl

“Never diminish your light’s strength, for it is meant to wildly, beautifully shine in this life.” ~Ruth Hagen

“What lies behind us, and what lies before us, are tiny matters, compared to what lies within us.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Perhaps, we should love ourselves so fiercely, that when others see us they know exactly how it should be done.” ~Rudy Francisco

“I fill myself first so I can heal the world.” ~Lissa Rankin

“Remember, we are all affecting the world every moment, whether we mean to or not. Our actions and states of mind matter, because we are so deeply interconnected with one another. Working on our own consciousness is the most important thing that we are doing at any moment, and being love is a supreme creative act.” ~Ram Dass

With Labor Day celebrations behind us, let’s rethink our daily labor.
It’s often a lonely, one-way journey down the very real road to burnout. It is unhealthy, not sane or saintly, to put all things before yourself. Working more is not working better or smarter. Trust me; I know this to be true.

A 40+ hour work week takes an undeniable toll on your mind, your health and your relationships. When all is said and done, we will not wish for more possessions or hours at work. We will wish for more memorable adventures and time with loved ones; good health; and a continued passionate, creative curiosity in life.

Be mindful in your daily work flow.Look for inspiration; it is everywhere. Have a beginner’s mind. Embrace your passion with childlike abandonment.

But take breaks.Spend time with family, pets and nature. Meditate – yes, meditate. Find your touchstones and visit them often. Recharge your soul.

With practice, you’ll find a unique personal-timing sweet spot where self-compassionate breaks meet passionate productivity.I can be found with my muse-pup, Rusty, sitting under the redwoods, with paper and pen – should creative inspiration strike. There, I am open to the possibility of business and writing ideas, but I release them to the paper for consideration at another time.

In the big picture, there is no true place in the workplace for selflessness. It leads to illness and resentment – the stuff of burnout. It empties you, making it impossible for you to create, find joy or give to others.

Make your work and your breaks part of a soul-filling, blissful process.With dedication to your well being, design your days to be simultaneously productive, energizing and of benefit to others. With this, you become abundance, not depletion.

Can this self-aware design be had in a 40+ hour workweek?Or would we best honor our souls by embracing the science that justifies a 3-day work week? Certainly, whatever the number of hours, it is imperative that we prioritize finding our uniquely personal sweet spot for our best life.

I challenge you to consider this:
If your knee-jerk reaction was something like, “I have no time to sit under a tree with a dog“, then you have missed my point. Get honest, personal and introspective. Because you’ve always done something one way, does not mean it’s best. Is your blinders-on, nose-to-the-grindstone, joyless way really working for you? Are you frequently complaining about your work? Are you chronically tapped out and exhausted each day? Are your relationships stressed? If you’re not sure, ask your family and friends for honest feedback. Be prepared to respect their words and make a change.

If you’ve read this piece to this point, you might have an intuitive desire for change.Only you can change your circumstances. Because you deserve it, decide and do it. Now. ~Namaste.

Please share how you balance work & life. We’d love to know!xo ~Ruth & Rusty~

Words to live & work by:

“By refreshing our sense of belonging in the world, we widen the web of relationships that nourishes us and protects us from burnout.” ~Joanna Macy & Chris Johnstone, “Active Hope”

I’m impatient…. with myself… bigtime.I have infinite patience with people and animals. Well, almost infinite – as long as my empathic-introverted need for solitude & stillness is regularly refilled.

Today, I wrestled with the potential horror that the quicksandy feeling of writer’s block would never end.My mind’s impatient insistence that the-now-is-forever is a slippery slope. The ride down that slide careens through glass-half-empty territory. And within minutes, my writer’s block is a concrete amalgamation filled with angsty issues….

Currently, my yard is an active volcanic system of mole holes.It’s my first foyer into battle with these critters. Initially, I wanted to be humane: shoo them along in a live-and-let-live NIMBY kinda way. I even had a sense of humor about it: As I savored a glass of wine under my redwoods one night, both back legs of my chair sank completely into mole tunnels. I calmly poured another glass & laughingly said, “Call me Alice.” But now, I’m mole-iciously murderous. Done. Outta here. So the Mole-y War (will I win it? can I end it yesterday?) swirls together with my writer’s block. There’s more in the mix….

I spent spring in PA helping my mom as best I could with my dad, who’s critically ill.I put my life (my business, my sweet S.O., Rusty, etc.) on hold – because it’s the right thing to do. I love my parents & I wouldn’t have it any other way. Today, it’s hard to be across the country from them as I pick up my life again. So add that to the thickening mix, as well….

And, I’m bravely-not-so-bravely rolling out a new business – which includes brand new services & new approaches to existing services.Plus, I have books to write! Great, right? Yes, to be sure, it’s exciting! But my methods have changed, and change is unnerving. (I’m confident in my well-honed process, but how will it be perceived?) I’m following my calling to combine science & soul to enhance the lives of both humans and animals via the bonds they share. It’s groundbreaking, it’s new and it’s bound to ruffle some feathers in the training community. In order to do it, I have to write about it. (How am I doing so far? Gulp…) For that, I have to fly my freak flag just enough to not care about naysayers & gremlins. And that is the glue in this quicksandy conglomerate that occasionally paralyzes me.

But tick-tock, right?Life is way too short to be anything less than kindly patient with yourself. We are all, human & non-human animals, beautiful souls who must share our gifts with the world. Artists, caretakers, counselors, lightworkers, teachers, scientists – we must shine our unique lights into the dark corners of this world – especially now. I learn this lesson repeatedly from animals & their people.

So, let me tell you the tale of Molly & me:

“Look at my butt. Just look at it.” ~Molly

I met Miss Molly when her mom called me for help.As her human told me their story, I sat on the floor with lovely Molly. Molly’s mom had recently lost her husband to cancer. She knew she wanted a dog to keep her company and had searched several shelters & rescues for just the right pup. Finally, Molly. As I listened, I had both hands on Molly, who calmly leaned into me. Suddenly, through my mind & out my mouth came, “You had help finding her.” It was a natural knowing that had to be stated out loud (claircognizance, I now know). It was a message that Molly’s mom needed to hear. She said, “Well, yes, my friends looked for a dog with me.” I said, “No, that’s not the help I mean.” Molly’s mum blinked and lit up. She told me, with a sparkle in her eye, that before her husband passed, they had talked about her getting a dog. Her hubby teased her that she’d probably get a little, white, fluffy dog. Molly’s mom insisted absolutely not – she didn’t want to be cleaning a white dog’s bottom all the time. It was then that I noticed Molly’s rear end: an adorable white fluffy swishy tail, white fluffy-furry haunches & legs, and a decidedly dark grey bottom where cleanup counts. We laughed….hard. Message received & sent (or vice-versa). Molly, her mom & I are friends for life. Rusty & Molly are on mole patrol as I write this.

Whew! I feel like with the telling of Molly’s story, I’m breaking out of that cementy-sandy stuff.I must remember that the now is transient, including its feelings, its drama & and its perceived obstacles. I will not make mountains out of mole hills. I now see life’s muddy little hills as opportunities & lessons placed along my life journey’s path. I embrace my unconventional intuitive gifts, my writing, and my time with clients and pets – it’s all so precious.

Coming soon:New pages on this site describing those new services and my new role as a positive, science-based Intuitive Pet-life Guide (IPLG). Open-minded humans and their teaching-healing pets make up our growing soul-tribe family…. for that, we are so grateful! xo ~Ruth & Rusty~

I did this once before, after my sweet-soulmate cat, Alex, died suddenly.His death deeply, devastatingly impacted me, emotionally & physically. Afterward, my heart wasn’t yet securely tied & bound (thanx, Pat Benatar), because I was 24/7 nursing & chefing for my senior, barely mobile & epileptic boxer boy, Gumbo. When he passed later that year, I was relieved for him. His discomfort was over. I believe with all my being that Alex & Gumbo are in a wonderful place now. But then, I sealed the wrap over my heart completely. It all hurt too, too much.

Fast forward: For 3 years I was content to be Auntie Ruth to a stream of visiting pups, as well as all of my clients’ pets.So I didn’t miss having a pet; I worked with animals daily, with the freedom of traveling on a whim. No petsitters, daycares or pre-travel vet visits required. Just me & my bubble-wrapped heart, joyfully, obliviously traveling. Are you starting to see the downside of the wrap approach? Good. ‘Cuz I wasn’t seeing clearly yet, what with all the bubbles & plastic clouding up my soul.

Enter Rusty: a delightfully sassy-cool poodle puppy. I knew him from the start as his Auntie Ruth, for training & puppy-sitting. For reasons for a future story, I had the opportunity to adopt him. Without a thought, I jumped at the chance. Such a gift. But my heart was still sealed….

The first few months with Rusty were blissfully healing, perhaps for both of us.I was aware, though, that I had him at arm’s length. I wouldn’t be hurt again. Ahh, but love finds a way in & out. I woke up one day to realize that poodle-love had me wrapped around his paw – hook, line & sinker. We were both better off, more than I knew.

Last year, I was blindsided by betrayal.People who called themselves family & friends, who said they loved me, suddenly devalued, dismissed and discarded me. I had given my heart & soul to people who couldn’t love me. I had fallen for an all-so-conditional illusion. (Fodder for a future tale.) My head knew the truth: love that was never there to start can’t be lost and needn’t be mourned. But my heart? It was in deep, deep trouble. Certain that life itself was at risk, I wrapped & sealed my hurting heart in layers of bubbles. Deep, thick, cushiony layers of the big, big bubbles. Funny, those are the most poppable ones…..

I healed.I dated my girlfriends. I leaned on true family. I cuddled my kindred soul, Rusty. I became wonder woman, reinventing and rediscovering my superpowers. I found my voice – as a writer and an intuitive. I found myself – the girl I was before I gave myself away. Legit love from & for friends, Rusty & myself – gradually healed me. The warmth and glow of it all melted bubbles away.

Today, my heart is an open, ooey-gooey, vulnerable oasis.It’s the place where I live. I write, work and love from my heart. It guides my voice and life. It doesn’t play games. It abhors held-in emotions. Basically, if I feel it, I say it. My heart is wise & kind, so no one gets hurt. Especially me. I trust that.

A six-year old once told me with great earnest: “The problem with pets is that they die.” That’s a jaded adult thought, not one of a wide-eyed, open-minded child. That’s bubble-wrap talk. Suffocate your heart, and it shrinks. Hurt can’t get in – true. But love can’t get in – or out, either. Yes, real love is messy-risky. But I trust the unwrapping is a worthwhile leap of faith….

Heck, it’s risky for me to write this post.I never, ever thought I’d write about love. I don’t have a gift for annoyingly sappy, flowery prose. But is that what’s required? A bit of a think-break here, before I (gulp) bare more soul. In the meantime, I’m with P!nk (yet again): “The Truth About Love” does come @ 3 am. You do wake up f*cked up, so you grab a pen….

On a blue moon eve, we’re relishing life’s sweetness.In the midst of rapid-fire, life-altering, all-good changes for Rusty & I, one thing remains a constant: change itself. Perhaps counterintuitively, that is what makes life oh-so-sweet.

Because only change is certain, mindfulness is essential.Gazing at the moon, I know the now is everything. In the now, be present, be grateful, and let go. Let go of what’s past, what’s not yours to control. Don’t cling to what’s bound to change. Ultimately, mindfulness creates happiness in the face of chaos.

Last month I briefly tuned into news chaos after a self-imposed grey-out.
I had enjoyed a creatively productive morning, solving problems in my head (writing ideas, organizational solutions, meal planning & laying out my week’s agenda). Then, seeking a break, I plugged in & immediately became less positively productive. I made the mistake of perusing media, which I’d intentionally avoided for the past week. Suddenly: prison-break killers loose in NY; another Bush political ad (the drumbeat begins); a raccoon apocalyptically rides an alligator (because Florida); shark attacks; escaped Georgian zoo animals; & a flooding-likely tropical storm in the Gulf. Now, I questioned: I care, BUT, do I need any of this noisy info? Simply, no.

In a blink, none of that din matters in my life. But this moment did:Last week, a tall friend rescued a distressed hummingbird from my patio skylight. It was an exercise in gratitude. I was thankful for his help, as was, I believe, the hummingbird. Later in the day, my friend randomly & sincerely said, as though he was a boy describing magic, “I got to hold a hummingbird this morning.” I hadn’t even thought about it that way. What a gift to us all.

Sweet!

Shift gears to get to the sweet stuff, which sustains & surrounds us more than chaos.It’s in the hummingbird’s beauty & flight to freedom. It’s in the rewardable moment when a jumping puppy fleetingly has four paws on the floor. And it’s in life’s happy accidents. (Accidents? I don’t believe in them. They are our teachers: serendipities the Universe wants us to see.)

Rusty & I had a sweet, serendipitous kitchen moment.
As I inhaled a garlic bagel smothered in cream cheese, topped with dill, capers & smoked salmon – I noticed Rusty’s stare. Say what you will, I was under poodle mind control. I covered some cantaloupe with smoked salmon (just a bit ‘cuz it’s salty, but safely cooked) and shared the bounty with my foodie fido. On a rushed morning, together, we created a blissful, in-the moment, savory summery-snack.

Rusty’s always been a canine cantaloupe connoisseur:

So, silently reflect on tonight’s moon.There’s wisdom in that silence. A blue moon is about setting clear intentions. My suggestion: Take 10 minutes to aim for mindfulness. Marvel at the moon as you howl with Pup. Last full moon, Rusty & I tipped our heads back & let it rip. Soon, the neighborhood’s pooches joined our chorus. It was magical.

Intentions are powerful.
Set them thoughtfully, positively. Send them sweetly, heartfeltly. Choose an intention of daily mindfulness. With practice, your mindset will shift to one blessed with spontaneity, creativity, appreciation, self-knowledge & happiness. What a lovely, wondrous starting point in a blue moon – a savor-worthy summer event.

What are you waiting for? Get your howl on! xo ~Ruth & Rusty~

Savorable quotables:

“With freedom, books, flowers, and the moon, who could not be happy?” ~Oscar Wilde

“If you’re trying to find out what comes next, turn off everything you own that has an OFF switch and listen.” ~Ann Patchett

“When you wait, you get very clear on what you desire and how much you want it. And when you get clear on what you really want, you can manifest anything.” ~Lissa Rankin

“An entire sea of water can’t sink a ship unless it gets inside the ship. Similarly, the negativity of the world can’t put you down unless you allow it to get inside you.” ~Goi Nasu

“Intentions are powerful. Set them thoughtfully, positively. Send them sweetly, heartfeltly.” ~Ruth Hagen

“Because only change is certain, mindfulness is essential.” ~Ruth Hagen

Today’s not just any day. Today’s my birthday.
While I’m not opposed to telling you the number, I won’t for an unlikely reason. I don’t see age anymore. I see souls. It’s a gift – a lovely thing, really. It’s a bit like looking at Rusty and seeing his whole being, rather than just a dog or just a poodle. Moving forward in my life and my career, I know I will share this soul-seeing gift with others.

When my husband of 25 years left me last year, it shook me awake.My intuition stepped up and spoke up. She guided me, cared for me & saved me. In my awakening, I chose happiness, released my inner writer, and realized my empathic & intuitive gifts. I am finally embracing these gifts for what they are. They’re not “skills” (as I was once told by someone who didn’t get me) or “curses” (as if I’m somehow lesser for them). I’m so happy to share them now, the keys to my soul’s calling. Knowing that is the best present a girl can get!

This week, Helen, a dear friend of my mother’s, died.Helen was amazing. She marched to her own drumbeat, not caring who thought what of her. The world needs more chicks like that. She was a fiercely independent spirit. She shrugged off her pain, but spoke from her heart. And she expected you to speak from your heart if she let you into her world. That was the gift she gave me; she let me in. She insisted that if I visited my parents I should visit her. The gritty girl talk between Helen, my mom & I was memorably priceless. When Helen found out about my divorce, she did not pity me. Instead, she spoke to my soul: “Get out there. Don’t close yourself in. You’re too special to not share with the world.” I had my marching orders…..

So today I celebrate. I am ageless. I am reborn.I will love fearlessly, I will write fearlessly and I will live fearlessly.And my life will be unapologetically beautiful for it. This is not selfish; this is necessary, like breathing. This life celebration is what Helen was talking about.

My true celebration began the day my divorce became final.That is not spiteful; it’s joyful. On that day, this “poem” flowed out of me:

Playful, joyful celebration!

“Today, I celebrate.” ~Ruth Hagen

Today, I celebrate freedom. Freedom to be myself, freedom to evolve into my best self. My soul’s freedom.

Today, I celebrate love. Love for myself and others, human & animal.

Today, I celebrate my truth. Truth that I speak, truth that I write, truth in my work, truth in my heart.

Today I celebrate kindness. Kindness extended to me by others & kindness I live to return.

It occurs to me that I haven’t been honest with you….. or myself.
For the past week, I’ve had an epic bout of writer’s block – with one exception: accepting a friend’s FB “Happiness Challenge”. For that, you nominate 3 friends to join you in listing 3 things that made you happy each day, for a week. Normally, I’m not the chain-letter type (dating myself, I know), but since this didn’t involve a bucket of ice water, I dove in.

It’s fun to notice what’s currently bringing you joy.You MUST do it throughout the day, or you’ll find that writing your list @ day’s end is a chore. It is indeed a wonderful way to train your brain to be mindfully positive. Bonus: You’ll spread contagious cheer.

There have been more surprisingly personal benefits in this challenge.
As a writer, I find myself being more honest, fulfilled, open & fearless in these gratitude lists. I flex my creative muscle daily there, while my blog sits silent. Why? What’s missing from this blog?

Honesty. That’s what’s missing
Despite my heartfelt effort & belief that I’ve been sharing deeply (my mom would say, “too deeply, dear”) with you all here, I haven’t. My posts are still too perfectionistic (not perfect, nothing is). They are too watered down, concerned about offending readers (I love you guys, I do!). They are too infrequent (use that writer muscle or lose it). And worst of all, they don’t completely integrate my true self. If I’m going to put the writer first and plan a business where I soulfully guide clients & their pets to mindful wellness via their bond — everything about this blog must change.

So here’s what:

I will write daily. So buckle up.Some days are good, some are wannabe’s that fall short. Some days, I’m deep. Some days, I’m transparent & shallow. Some days I’m reckless; some days I cocoon. Some days I swear; some days I’m a saint – really, I try…no, not really. Some days I eat well; some days cereal is dinner. Some days I quote Buddha; some days I quote P!nk. Some days I walk Rusty; some days we play fetch out back while I sip wine. On all days, I have dog guilt & writer’s guilt. Why do that to myself?

Garden zen

Size really doesn’t matter….here.
Posts might simply be a music video that had me dancing & howling with Rusty that day. A post could be a sweet pic of Rusty in my garden or a playdate vid of poodle & pals. A post is likely something that comes to me while showering. (It’s a fine line between seeking inspiration & respecting the CA drought.) Whether it’s a pic, a bad poem or a lengthier adventurous tale, the long-and-short of it is that it will be honestly inspired, not overwrought.

“Soulful” includes laughter, good food, great music & human inspiration.Some days, Rusty will rest while I write only to humans. Know that if you are inspired, you will radiate that inspiration, and your pets will feel it. Rest assured, he’ll chime in with his usual cat-hating, dog-card-revoking, squirrel-crazy poodle ‘tude. I want to share with soulful, fun-loving humans, pet-guardians or not.

No more crickets!The Soulful Pet is meant to be a celebration of our bonds with pets and with each other. Daily, eclectic posts filled with quirky humor, spirituality, irreverence, honesty, pics, vids, cultural commentaries (don’t get me started…yet) – will they inspire you to speak up? I hope so! You’re all lovely; I know you’re out there reading. Rusty & I sooo want to hear from you!

I know I’m on the right track with this shift. How?I wrote this post 5 minutes after I imagined it, ending 2 weeks of soul-crushing writer’s block. I have chills going up both my arms (an intuitive thing that means, “go, girl!”). And I feel like a kid on Christmas morning. Rusty? Well, my newly redecorated office is also his playroom, complete with an uber-cozy bed. He’s either playing or sleeping while I write. It’s a very good place for both of us to be!

Social media updates: The feel of The Soulful Pet’s FB page will change to reflect the blog’s evolution. Join me there! If you know me & want to friend me, visit my wall, too. That’s where my true self has lived. But she’s bravely moving to the page. The newsletter will change, too. Currently, it comes out once a month, and it feels like an uncreative task. To free my writer, I will send it weekly, without a theme. Just randomly cathartic writing goodness! I’d kept it monthly to kindly not burden your inboxes or cause you to tune out. But you’re adults. There’s an unsubscribe option in each newsletter (please, please don’t!), but there are also RSS & Networked Blogs options on this site.

I have no idea what I’m doing.
Those were my thoughts as I entered the pagoda by the Japanese zen garden. It was a cool, misty morning, and the pool’s waterfall filled the soundscape. I sat down on one of the meditation cushions, placing my bright yellow bag on the deck by me. I crossed my legs & relaxed. I looked to my far right. The man already seated there was serenely still, with his eyes closed. With so much beauty in the garden, how could he close his eyes? With that, the steady flow of my inner, perhaps inappropriate questioning began.

“Are you sensitive to incense?”
A gentle, kind-faced woman asked me as she sat to my immediate right. “Not at all”, I responded. Good, I thought. Clearly, she’s the guide for this meditation session. She was a calming presence; I was sure she could talk me into relaxing. Incense lit, I wondered why we wanted to smell that when the dewy country morning air was so sweet. I set that aside. She struck a gong-like chime. Oddly, it brought tears to my eyes, and I thought, “omg?” (Do you think in text talk? Sadly, I do.) Interesting beginning. But then…. silence.

Silence?! I thought this was a guided meditation!
I became uncomfortable. In my peripheral vision I could see that legs were crossed & eyes were closed. There would be no talking. I was on my own. My ego stepped forward. I immediately noticed that I was the only one not wearing Birkenstocks & socks. (If you follow TSP, you know I love a cute shoe. Enough said.) I was the only one not wearing brown & black. I was the only one not shawled under a blanket. God help me, I’m sure I was the only one considering fashion don’ts @ that moment. I was off to a bad, caffeine-deprived start.

My brain scrambled to remember anything about meditation that I’d read or watched.
Ok, so you’re supposed to breathe. Check. You’re supposed to release white-noisy thoughts as they come into your mind. Fail. (I had already judged the Birkis, & now I looked down to consider that maybe that yellow bag was a cry for help.) Ok, try again. Release the thoughts & focus on your breathing, in & out. In & out. Better…..

A tree’s soothing, rippling reflection

I couldn’t close my eyes. Why not? What was wrong with me? Arghh….!
I’m a peaceful person. I should be able to do this, damn it. Suddenly, I noticed that the shimmering reflection of a tree in the pond’s gentle ripples was as relaxing as a candle flame. Ego disappeared. And the chatter stopped; what I call my Squirrel!-brain quieted. I noticed that my body was so relaxed that it seemed to somehow be floating below my mind. And then, the writer took over. Big time.

She started writing rapidly, in full & visual sentences, mind you, describing the experience.
I started to kick myself for working while meditating. (Is that a felony or a misdemeanor?) I had silenced the squirrel alert – now I had to deal with an annoying blogger posing as a wanna-be Buddha? Then it dawned on me: this was why I was here. This should not be silenced.

I gave the writer full reign.
After all, amongst its many benefits, meditation is supposed to enhance creativity. So be it! I’ll write this post in my head before I get home. Unfinished, the writer quieted. It was eerily still in my head. (Where’s that when I’m trying to get to sleep @ night?) Then, I heard that familiar voice from within. She’s calm, still & wise. She has saved my life, and she guides me daily now. I deeply respect her. She’s Intuition. She said: “Patience. You have never been patient with yourself.“

A stroll around the pond – after my leg woke up.

Finally, I closed my eyes with ease. Amidst the water’s soothing cascade, I could hear birds, frogs & the town waking up. I didn’t want to leave. And – apparently, neither did my entire left leg. It had fallen sound to sleep, from my toes to my hip! Great. So much for zen. I had to move my leg, or I wouldn’t be able to stand up when this was done. (When was this supposed to end, anyway?) I lifted my leg to uncross it, and gracefully hit the deck rail with my foot. As jarring pins & needles traveled up & down my entire leg, the sound seemed to echo through the entire garden. I’m such a dork. Oh, look – there were cows on the hillside. When did they arrive? Squirrel!!

“Gong….”
And the silence was broken. What I thought was a half hour had actually been an hour well spent. I walked back to the car, grateful for permission to be patient with myself. I have infinite patience with animals. I have patience with their humans. But with myself? I’m trying. Rusty is infinitely patient with me, and he has a Squirrel!-brain. He seems to know what he’s doing. I’ll learn from my Birki-free poodle Buddha.

Boy, do I have questions for you!
Do you have meditation tips for a newbie like me? What have you learned about yourself through meditation? Are you patient with yourself? Did your pets teach you patience? How did that lesson present itself? Please share! xxoo ~Ruth & Rusty~

After a rare kumbaya mediation with my nearly-ex last week, I decided to keep the flow going.
I visited a local & heavenly spa for a much-needed (understatement!) massage with a very intuitively talented therapist, Laurie. (Before you dismiss me as decadent, know that I had a bday gift card from my hubs in hand. That’s part of our kumbaya how-we-do now.) Back to Laurie: Usually, when she greets me, she asks what spots need work. And usually, as with most of us, the tension that needs easing is in my neck & shoulders. Not this time.

I told her what was happening in my life. I told her that the horrors of it were throughout my body.As an empath, negativity soaks into my body. I can’t prevent that, & I don’t know how to rid myself of it – yet. I’m learning. With tears in both of our eyes, I asked her to be my guide. She smiled warmly & wisely as she said, “I’d be honored.” Then, to lift both of our spirits & energies, she said, “Let’s just play & see what happens”. I was completely up for that.

Given the option of beginning face-down or face-up, I chose face-down. I’m not sure why, or if I should even know why. But, I mention this because it was a decision that led to one of the most amazing experiences I’ve ever had. As Laurie began, her pattern & energy were quite different than when she’d last seen me. I knew that she was working some magic. As my thoughts drifted from divorce to house repairs to health insurance & financial fears to reinvention & writing ideas, I consciously let them pass by. I followed my breath and Laurie’s touch. I focused on the music of the flowing stream & bird chirps just outside the window.

I see Rusty’s wings. Do you?

I wondered if I would cry as my tensions released. Thankfully, I just relaxed.Yes, I know this is a first-world issue: Have you ever tried to deep-breathe face down with a snot-filled, runny nose? Forget cute. On second thought, I take back the “first-world” thing I just said. This massage was every bit a necessity & prescription for part of my soul’s recovery. If I told you that I popped a pill to get better, I wouldn’t dismiss its importance. Yet that Rx would be such an unnatural fix by comparison. This was a crucial spiritual remedy for me. One that I highly recommend for you, too.

Here’s where the magic (& weirdness) begins. If magic wasn’t weird, well then it wouldn’t be magic, wouldit?
Halfway through & completely relaxed, I turned face-up. The fleeting thoughts that have fed past panic attacks were long gone. Laurie had managed the impossible in that my mind & body felt lighter, less burdened. As my brain became blissfully quiet, something amazing happened: In my mind’s eye, with a flapping woosh!, I suddenly sawmyself on the table with large, thick white-feathered wings spreading from my back. My wingspan filled the room, and a few feathers lazily floated to the floor in the flurry. At the same time, a life force filled my body. What on Earth was that?!

Still stunned & winged, my massage came to a too-soon end.Laurie left the room, inviting me to take my time getting up. As I eventually arose, I didn’t have my usual case of fogged-up massage brain & my-body’s-a-noodle-now lack of strength. Instead, I was energized. My wings were somehow still with me but hidden from sight. Outside the room, Laurie greeted me with a glass of water. I thanked her sincerely. Then she floored me: she said, “I know you’ll be ok.” She felt the energy & life come back into my body soon after I turned face-up. I confessed that I wasn’t going to tell her for fear of sounding certifiably cra cra, but that that was THE moment I sprouted wings. We shared our amazement & hugged goodbye. I walked away with chills & goose bumps.

The day’s synchronicities didn’t stop there.
As is my custom, I meditated by the spa’s zen garden afterward. As I watched the koi fish lazily swim in their waterfall-fed pond, I wondered about those wings. Where had they come from & what did they mean? Strolling the meandering path around the pond, I suddenly realized that I was going to write a book about my new path! What?! This certainly wasn’t my plan; it was as if the thought had just been inserted into my psyche. I smiled as I remembered the many times my mom told me I should write a book about my experiences as a trainer. Each time, I told her I’m not inspired by that. The last thing I want to write about is how to get Fido to sit-stay or Trixie to pee in the box. So what was this new inspiration? How is it connected to wings?

I have a hard & fast rule.I never leave the spa without visiting the amazing artisan bakery & gardens just across the street. That day, I craved their sticky buns. Step back, there was no stopping me. Jazzed about being next up in the always-long line to the counter, I completely forgot that they don’t accept debit cards. When the owner kindly asked what I wanted, I sheepishly confessed my lack of funds. He didn’t miss a beat. He said, “We take checks, cash & mailed checks. So what do ya want?” I heartily thanked him & drove away as my car rapidly infused with the smell of fresh-from-the-oven warm, gooey, cinnamony buns. Such a sweet, heavenly experience. The check was most assuredly in the mail!

So what was the wing thing? One of many signs that I’m finally being true to myself, perhaps?I believe that when you are on your correct life path, you see synchronicities.The stepping stones on your path are illuminated, and you walk your path with ease. There’s a flow to life – a knowing without trying. (Ever notice that walks with your dog or laptime with your cat go better when you’re more peaceful?) That week’s discoveries & kindness gems (delightful synchronicities) extended into this week, with generous gestures from beloved girlfriends. Tearfully grateful tangent here:

Girls, you know who you are. My goddess friend who cries when I cry & does my hair for free occasionally, asking for nothing more than a kiss on the cheek or puppy advice in return. My gorgeous, strong, wise, sista-from-anotha-motha personal trainer who just hugged & kissed me & sweetly gifted me her time so I can reach my 2014 goal of “being buff”. My inspirational GFFs who drag my ass up a mountain @ least monthly & just surprised me with a birthday brunch. The FB army of wise & supportive women who always know just what to say. My friend who sweetly cupped my face as she asked if I was ok on a day when she was recovering from surgery but I was the one who could barely stand – & then invited me in for a huge cup of tea served with laughs & wisdom. My east coast girls, who define BFF, picking up where we leave off, no matter how long it’s been. (One’s a first-time author – congrats, girl! And, hell, one just drunk messaged me as I was writing this & dared me to fit that into this post. Did it, GF!) And my human soulmate muse, my mom. She was so thrilled to hear about the book-to-be that I lost count of the I-told-you-so’s!

My wings? They symbolize my new-found strength, independence, creativity & ability to do-for-me.They represent freedom; they can take me anywhere to do anything.All the kindness from friends, family, mentors, acquaintances & animals are the wind beneath my wings, helping me find my way. (Corny? Yeah, I thought so as soon as I wrote it. But it’s true!) So call me Dorothy. Rusty’s my Toto. Now where are those adorable ruby slippers?

Whew! You know, it took a little hutzpa to tell that story. I’m happy to trust you with my truth.In honor of flapping my way to a buffer, healthier me, I created a green drink. It’s also a sincere thank you for reading this tale. If you’ve had winged synchronistic moments -or- you’ve got a green drink recipe of your own -or- you’d like to share stories of great friends (human & animal) in your life, please chat away in the comments. Cheers to being true-to-you & a healthy, happy 2014, friends! xo ~Ruth & Rusty~

Prep:
Mix all ingredients in a blender until smooth. Drink immediately. (To share with pup, simply make the drink without the avocado. It will be thinner, but just as yummy. Or, treat pup with the non-avo ingredients as you make your green drink.) Cheers!

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